Following on from Kara's first blog on her involvement in The Mayfield Project 2023 just before the LEA regional conference - re: Activate Generating a City of Learning, here is the follow-up just before she runs a JEDI Tools Workshop with her fellow Mayfielder Ekta Nathu, from The Ministry of Education as the LENZ Wellington End of Year Event. See this link for more details - https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/lenz-wellington-end-of-year-event-jedi-tools-workshop-tickets-738674363907?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=reminder_attendees_48hour_email&utm_term=eventname ..read more

The initial modelling gives a proof of concept. It should give an idea of what type of construction, and insulation levels you need. It will tell you what performance level you need for your windows. This allows you to go shopping for windows. Windows are the weakest link. They are the key purchase. They do not have the same insulation level as a wall. This means their thermal performance will have one of the biggest impacts. It is hard to think of a deep retrofit that would not involve an upgrade to the windows. It will be a major cost. The size of the windows, their placement, and their sha ..read more

When I was at architecture school, (a few years ago), I remember going on a tour of a recently completed building with the architect. It had a communal area that had glazed walls and roof to the north. The architect sheepishly said there were (massive) overheating issues and they may have got it wrong. Heat loss would have also been a problem. I also remember using a simple building modelling tool called ALF to learn the effect of window area percentages on different elevations. Architectural design is often instinctive, but we can’t afford to leave a building's performance to instinct, at a t ..read more

Retrofits are a bit like belly buttons. Are you an Innie or an Outie? This is the key decision you need to make at the beginning of your retrofit. Though there are examples where it is a bit of both, to upgrade the performance of the building we need more insulation while at the same time improving the airtightness. You can do this from the inside or from the inside. Most likely you will be replacing the windows. Upgrading windows has generally the biggest impact. Which you choose might be because of the type of construction, because it is a heritage building, the other work you are doing, or ..read more

If it's good information in, and good information out, the first step is playing detective and finding as much information as possible about the building. In this case, an Ex-New Zealand State House from the 1940s. This is a record of my search. Another great thing about working on a classic state house is that there is so much information available. Check it out. 1. Books – So many great books on our state housing. Such a great heritage and legacy. Has there been a better example than Centennial Flats, Berhampore, in Wellington? There was this focus on community. I never realised that our ex ..read more

International Passive House Open Days are on 23 - 25 June 2023. This is an opportunity to visit Passive House projects throughout the country (and the world). This gives you an opportunity to find out and experience what a Passive House is all about. You can find out more about the houses you can visit, including our ,Navigation Drive project in Whitby on the Passive House Institute New Zealand website, https://passivehouse.nz/events/upcoming-events/phod23 ..read more

How should you go about a deep retrofit of an existing house? These are our 10 steps. Coincidently, the excellent Reimagine Buildings have just issued their 10 Steps To Designing Your First Passive House” video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA0oKPw2cas.Our steps assume you have already got the design advice in place. Deep Retrofit. Whole building analysis and upgrade as a system, to set targets, that will provide an overall significant reduction in energy use while increasing comfort, indoor air quality, and eliminating moisture and mould that affect our health and durability of the buildin ..read more

We are honored that our work at Silverstream School has been recognised as the winner of the Small Projects Under $2m catagory. This follows previously receiving the Education Colour Maestro Award in the Resene Total Colour Awards and a commendation in the Learning Environments New Zealand Awards. The Learning Environments Australasia Design Awards are a special programme that recognises briefing, colaboration, and the design reflecting the school learning approach. You can read the full citation below. The school’s approach to learning and their learning framework set a solid foundation for ..read more

How are we celebrating Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Learning Environments? In early March I joined 20 other Mayfielders, a group of architects, teachers and designers, in Sydney for a whirlwind weekend workshop facilitated by NoTosh. The focus: How can we create Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for all in both physical and educational design? Investigate the role of learning spaces within communities and how we can embrace and celebrate aspects of JEDI. We started by sharing our insights and research thus far – mine included, looking at third places as learning envir ..read more

1. Compact Form or Surface Area to Volume Ratio or Form Factor Sketch of the house's thermal envelope The compactness of the building has such a big impact. Being connected to neighboring buildings also reduces the surface area. The effects of these are exponential. This house is two-storey so almost cube-like form with one wall attached to the neighbouring unit, eliminating an exterior face. In PHPP, Form Factor, the external surface area to the treated floor area is used as a measure of compactness. We previously looked at Enerphit for a detached single-storey house stretched out house. We ..read more